Interview Questions and Tips from the FSU Career Center:
Here are some common questions that you may be asked at an interview for a position as a librarian.
- What qualities are essential for a _____ librarian? Why are those qualities important? How do you meet those qualities?
- How would you explain the importance of a library to a potential donor?
- What motivates you to succeed and how do you motivate success in others?
- What is your philosophy of customer service and how would you apply it in your job?
- You are the only librarian at the reference desk. There are four patrons waiting for assistance, one of whom is a mother with a screaming toddler. This causes another patron to come to the desk irate because the noise is keeping him from studying. Suddenly, a question appears through online chat and the phone begins to ring. How would you handle this situation?
- Describe a time when you had to complete a project on a team. What were the challenged to success and how did you overcome them?
- What kinds of library tasks are you able to perform very well? What are some things you might not do so well? What measures would you take to gain the ability to do them well?
- What is your experience with social media? As a librarian providing service to ________, how might you use social media in your work?
- The role of the _____ is continually evolving. Where do you see ________ service going in the next 3-5 years? How might the duties and skills required for this position evolve?
- What do you feel is the most significant development in the field? What impact will it have on the future of the profession?
Recommendations for preparing your answers
- Prepare for questions meant to assess strengths and weaknesses, problem-solving, critical thinking, knowledge of the profession, self-awareness, leadership, initiative, and collaboration.
- Be sure you are familiar with the organization and how the position for which you are interviewing meets an organization need.
- Remember, the employer wants to understand the value you can bring. Their intent is to identify the candidate who best meets that organizational need. They created the position because of a decision to delegate duties/responsibilities to target that need. You should assume the position aligns with goals and objectives from some type of strategic plan.
